It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”! Each week I scour the blogosphere to find other fit moms who inspire me to fitness.
Our fit mommy this week is Jill, a busy mom with a toddler and another baby on the way. Jill is also the owner of FitOne Studio, a unique personal training boutique located in historic Old Town Alexandria, VA. Not only does she focus on her own active lifestyle, she is dedicated to helping others reach their fitness goals.
As many of us know, running your own business can be exhausting just in itself. Even with an extremely full schedule, Jill is still able to keep fitness a priority in her life.
Please read on for more about Jill and how she stays “One Fit Mommy”:
Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
I’ve played sports and been active my entire life. I guess working out has just become a way of life for me. It’s the one part of the day I can de-stress, focus on myself, and feel re-energized. I actually feel more stress when I can’t work out. Now that I have a toddler and a baby on the way, I find it even more important to keep fitness a main part of my life and to instill healthy and active lifestyles into my children. There are so many health problems in our country today, with youth obesity and health problems on the rise. Even more reason to stay fit and healthy so we can all live longer!
Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
We all have 24hours in the day. I always think, if the President of the United States has time to exercise each day, can’t I find time in my day to work out? I think most moms are caretakers of their homes, children and spouses, and tend to put everyone else’s needs in front of their own. I find that making time for my own workout every day, even if it’s just 20minutes, makes me a much more productive and efficient mom…and a healthier one!
Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
My favorite exercise is lifting weights. I feel strong and secure in my body and my mind when I finish a good weight workout. Knowing I’m building strength on the inside is a great feeling, and so is the by-product of weight training– looking good in my sleeveless tops and skinny jeans!!
Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
I’m pretty equal cardio and strength. I’m in my best shape when I’m doing a solid weekly regime of strength training and cardio workouts. Those are the weeks that I know I’m taking the best care of my body and joints. Now that I’m a mom, I spend more of my cardio workouts outside with my daughter in our BOB jogging stroller. It’s a great “mental break” for me to be outside with nature, and a good chill time for my daughter. I did strength training and cardio through my entire first pregnancy and plan to do the same this time around. It kept me in shape, made for a quick and easy labor, and sure helped me get my pre-baby body back in no time at all!
Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
Yes, when I have those days that I just don’t feel like working out, I just tell myself to put on my workout shoes and get on the weight floor or jump on a piece of cardio equipment or get outside and just do 10minutes of something. Once I start, I always calm down and feel much better and can usually do more than 10minutes. And, I always end up feeling better afterwards that I did something healthy for myself!
Q: What are some of the reasons why moms should consider hiring a personal trainer?
Moms often feel guilty about doing something for themselves. I find that my clients who are moms tend to have less stress in their lives and more confidence in their bodies when they take 45min. out of their lives to come into the studio and train. It’s their time to get their bodies put through a routine and forget about all the things on their to-do list.
And, they always feel more relaxed and energized after they are finished and ready to tackle the rest of their “to do list”. If you have a set appointment on your schedule, you’re more likely to keep it. Moms are always rushing to and from appointments, so if they can schedule their personal training the same way they schedule their kids doctor’s appointment, it keeps them consistent and ensures they are taking time out of their daily routine for themselves. Plus, I find that most daddies like the results the moms are getting from their workouts!
Q: What is your best quick advice for moms that are struggling with that last 10 pounds of baby weight?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Motherhood is the hardest job one can experience. Nutrition, cardiovascular, and strength training are all must-dos to lose the weight and ensure you keep it off. Try to find creative ways to fit each of these into your daily schedule, even if it’s for 15minutes. Short bursts of exercise will burn calories and keep you on track with weight loss.
Drink lots of water, get as much sleep as you can, and don’t weigh yourself too often. Find a pair of pants or a top that you want to fit back into, don’t launder the garment, and use that as your guide. Try it on once a month to help you stay focused and on track with your goals. Don’t use your kids as an excuse not to workout out-get them moving with you. Chasing a toddler around the playground can be a great way to burn calories!
Q: Random question: what is your favorite brand of running shoes?
Men’s Brooks Addiction 7- wide toe box feel great on my feet! After running a marathon in the wrong type of shoes for my foot, I learned that shoes are about function, not prettiness! Take the time to go to a specialty store and have your gait analyzed for proper shoes.
Thank you Jill for agreeing to be featured here! Have you scheduled in your 20 minutes yet today gang? Get up and get moving, no excuses!
Have you been on the fence about hiring a personal trainer? If you are in the Northern Virginia area, consider giving FitOne a try. They offer everyone a complimentary one-on-one or small group training session to try it out so basically you have nothing to lose! Jill can be reached at jill@fitonestudio.com.